Distress, Gratitude, and Online Coping Strategies in the Academe during the Pandemic (COVID-19) Epoch

Abstract

COVID-19 is a global problem affecting Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This pandemic led to a strong reason among students who experience distress. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine students’ distress, gratitude and coping strategies in the academic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings showed that adequate information and high-risk perceptions were accessible to students. Non-medical prevention measures were perceived as highly effective. There were students satisfied with the government’s actions to mitigate problems. Unwillingness to the online-blended learning approach, however, has been observed. Students used different approaches to deal with the problems of mental health challenges. During this COVID-19 pandemic among HEIs, it is important to address the mental health of learners.